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Virginia Lee Phillips (Wasung) Cook, 84, died peacefully on July, 1, 2006. She was born a triplet in Tecumseh, OK. Her parents, Samuel and Christine Phillips, raised three boys and nine girls in rural Oklahoma. When brothers (Daniel) Wilson, Jack, and Sam (Junior) volunteered for military service during World War II, Virginia followed their example by enlisting in the Woman's Army Air Corp (WAAC). She met Frederick Cook while stationed at the Army Air Field in Topeka, KS. After their marriage there in 1945, they settled in his home town of Toledo, OH. In 1963, the couple relocated with their four children to Albuquerque. Virginia completed nursing and was employed for years in that capacity before changing careers to become a nuclear medicine technician at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). There were no strangers to Virginia. She considered it an obligation and a privilege to care for the less advantaged among us. Countless times, she took in people to feed and care for them. Virginia was remarkably wise, extremely courageous, and deeply humane. People were captivated by her classic beauty, gentle spirit, and fun-loving personality. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and sister, Mildred Owens; as well as first husband, Fred Cook; son, Freddy Cook; and second husband, Stanley Wasung, of Hamtrack, MI. Surviving sisters are Grace Malear, Mary McCuddy, Ruth Power, Lucille Massey, Lillian Stinnett, Faye Richardson, and Patricia Wilmoth, all of Oklahoma. Surviving children are Jeannette Smith and Mary Cook, of Albuquerque, NM; son, Donald Cook and daughter-in-law, Kathy, of Memphis, TN. Grandchildren are Jordan Smith, of Albuquerque; Jennifer Greif, Ashley May, and Gregory Cook, of Memphis. Great-grandchildren are Lauren Greif, David Greif, and Riley May, also of Memphis. The family is very grateful to the staff of the Woodmark Assisted Living Facility (Courtyard); the caregivers at Albuquerque Preferred Assisted Living (Willow Wood); and the Ambercare Hospice team for the loving care they gave Virginia in her final years. Strong-Thorne Mortuary (1100 Coal Avenue SE) will host a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on July 5, 2006, as well as a final viewing at 8:30 a.m. on July 6, 2006. At 9:30 a.m. a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (1818 Coal Place SE) with burial immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (7500 Paseo del Norte NE). Pallbearers are Donald Cook, Gregory Cook, Jordan Smith, Nathan May, Ashley May, and Jennifer Greif. "Blessed are those who die in the Lord. They will rest from all their toils and trials." - Revelations 14:13.
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